Academic Year 2009-2010

2009 Green Carpet Awards

Harvard University honored and recognized Harvard faculty, students, and staff who have made significant contributions to green house gas reduction and sustainability efforts at Harvard at the first annual Green Carpet Awards on Friday, April 23, 2010, a day after the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Members of the FAS were well represented among the winners, both as individuals and teams.

Sustainability Results for Fiscal Year 2010

Harvard has a goal of reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions 30 percent below the University’s FY2006 baseline by FY2016, including growth. The GHG Reduction Goal was set based on the recommendations of the Harvard University Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, a group of faculty, students, and senior administrators convened by President Faust in the spring of 2008 to recommend a GHG reduction goal for the University.

This year, the FAS made impressive reductions in its GHG emissions; 20.7% compared to its FY2006 baseline, and 3.5% including all growth of the physical plant since that time.

The largest reductions occurred in residential buildings, with reductions of 23% in Harvard College and 26.9% in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Harvard College Library made reductions of 17.6%. GHG emissions data for the Harvard Forest and data centers will be available in the fall of 2010.

Ongoing conservation efforts resulted in considerable gains this year, and some equally significant financial savings. The 17.7% reduction in energy use translated into a $3 million savings in energy costs for the FAS in FY2010. Water use was reduced by 25.9%, and food waste in the dining halls was reduced by 30% in average waste per meal per person compared to the FY2006 baseline.

Other Accomplishments

LEED projects

• 25 registered, including NC, CI and EB
• 7 LEED-CI certified, including: 6 GOLD and 1 SILVER

Renewable energy

Canaday Solar thermal/heat recovery system:

• 166 MTCDE reduction /year
• Meets 60% of hot water needs in the Yard

3 Sacramento solar/thermal systems:

• Provide 20% of hot water needs

Science Center, integrated roof solar system:

• Meets 25% of lighting needs in Cabot

Community engagement

Laboratories

• 20 sustainability lab brainstorms since FY09
• 4 Green Certified Labs
• “Shut the Sash” campaign launched in 2005. $230,000 in annual savings
• Greenerbenches listserv to share best practices in lab and research operations

Office Space

• 11 Green Certified offices and 4 Green Office workshops
• Green teams & monthly Eco-Citizens meetings
• Bi-annual Freecycle events, zero-waste events, Earth Day green gift bag distribution

Student Activities

• Green’14 program: outreach to Freshmen, food and energy subcommittees, annual Green Fair in Annenberg
• 3600 students participated in the annual Sustainability Pledge campaign in FY10
• Annual environmental art contest since 2002: 40-50 cartoon entries each year; 10-15 displays/year
• 70 student eco-projects per year
• 30% increase in recycling rates at Football games

Environmental initiatives in the Yard:

• 100% dorms have a green cleaning program
• All new furniture is local and FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified)
• All water fixtures have been upgraded with low flow aerators and dual flusj systems
• All paints are low or no VOC
• All Yard is fertilized with compost tea instead of chemical fertilizers, reducing irrigation needs by 2 million gallons per year and increasing roots from 3 to 5 inches
• Rain water sensors save 4 million gallons of water per year